Head of the class

Just when you’d figured out the admissions guidelines for your district’s Gifted & Talented program, the Department of Education (DOE) had to go and change everything. In a move that’s bound to stress out parents, last fall the city’s Panel for Educational Policy revised the requirements for G&T admissions in an effort to make the programs accessible to a broader spectrum of children. “It’s an extension of what we’ve already been doing to level the playing field,” says Andrew Jacob, a DOE spokesperson. “These changes bring more equity to the system.” But “more equity” may mean “more competitive.” Here’s what you need to know:

ADMISSIONS

WHAT’S NEW In the past, the test score required for a child’s placement in a G&T program varied from district to district, and up until two years ago admission had also been based on evaluations such as teacher recommendations. Now, admission will be determined solely by test scores, and the cutoff for eligibility will be uniform throughout the city: Your child must score in at least the 95th percentile nationwide to be placed in a district program and in at least the 97th percentile to qualify for one of the three citywide schools (Sarah Anderson, NEST and TAG).

WHY IT WAS CHANGED “We want to make sure these programs are rigorous and are serving the kids who need them,” says Jacob. “Research shows the top 5 percent need to be in a self-contained classroom to enhance their development. It’s the standard in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia and Seattle.”

WHAT IT MEANS If your child qualifies, she’ll be guaranteed a seat in a G&T program in or near your district. Parents are asked to rank their school preferences, and the DOE will try to accommodate those choices. Siblings who qualify will be guaranteed a place in the same program. The DOE will also try to keep siblings who aren’t enrolled in a G&T program in the same school as one who is. If a child does not qualify the first year, he may be retested in subsequent years, but acceptance would depend upon available openings and would no longer be guaranteed.

WHEN IT HAPPENS The school year beginning September 2008.